Council rates are calculated according to the value of land in the area. The value of land in the Strathfield Municipality is determined every three years by the NSW Valuer General. Council sets a rate in the dollar in its annual Management Plan, which is then multiplied by your valuation.
The Valuer General provides Council with new values for rating purposes, and also provides landowners with a Notice of Valuation informing them of the new land value. The NSW Valuer General’s Department can be contacted on 1800 110 038 or visit www.lands.nsw.gov.au.
There are many factors that are taken into consideration when deciding on land value including recent sale prices, zoning and access to public facilities. This means that rates charged for -properties in the Strathfield Municipality will be different to rates charged by other councils.
If you disagree with your land valuation, as contained in the Notice of Valuation sent to you, you can object to the Valuer General. Council has no direct involvement in determining valuations or handling objections. The NSW Valuer General’s Department can be contacted on 1800 110 038 or visit www.lands.nsw.gov.au.
You must still pay the full amount of your rates while your objection is being considered. Should your land valuation be amended, the Valuer General will advise Council and your rates will be adjusted.
Rates Payments
Strathfield Council mails rate notices in July each year. Rates can either be paid in full by the due date or paid by four installments over the year. Reminder notices are issued if you choose to pay by installments.
The due dates are:
- Payment in full or first quarter installment 31 August
- Second quarter installment 30 November
- Third quarter installment 28 February
- Fourth quarter installment 31 May
Payment must be received by Council on or before the respective due date otherwise interest charges will accrue. Rates overdue are known as "Rates in Arrears". Rates in Arrears will be subject to daily interest in accordance with the provisions of The Local Government Act, 1993 at the interest rate approved by the Minister for Local Government.
The interest percentage will be shown on the front of your Rate Notice. For the financial year 2008/09 this percentage is set at 10% per annum. Rates in Arrears may also be subject to recovery proceedings by Council and may incur recovery costs.
How to Pay your Rates
Rate payments can be made:
- By credit card. Rates can be paid by credit card over the phone to Council's customer service on 02 9748 9999.
- By telephoning 1300 305 497 or logging onto Card Pay. Card Pay ID: 497 and Reference is contained on Rates Notice.
- By using BPAY. Contact your participating financial institution to make this payment from your cheque, savings or credit card account. Visa, American Express, Diner's Club and MasterCard are accepted.
- By direct debit. Complete application form and send to Council.
- At any branch of the Commonwealth Bank regardless of whether or not you are a customer. Complete the details on the Bank Deposit Slip at the bottom of the rate notice. The bank will stamp Ratepayer's Copy and return it to you as a receipt.
- By posting your cheque made payable to Strathfield Council and crossed NOT NEGOTIABLE with original deposit slip in reusable envelope supplied to GPO Box 4692 SYDNEY NSW 2001.
- At Council’s Customer Service Centre or at the Strathfield Library and Information Centre – cash, cheque, EFTPOS or credit card. Visa, MasterCard, Diner's Club and American Express are accepted.
Domestic Waste Management Charge
Council must levy a separate charge for domestic waste management services. The cost of these services cannot be financed from ordinary rates and the charge must be sufficient to recover the reasonable costs of providing the services.
Domestic waste management charges include garbage, clean-up and recycling services. Domestic waste management charges are exempt from Goods and Services Tax (GST).
